Who’s authorising illegal trees cutting in Ambazari garden?

Nagpur, June 15

It seems as if there is a competition for illegal cutting of trees in the city. While the fight to keep the trees of Ajni forest intact is underway, now there has been rampant illegal tree cutting in the historic Ambazari Garden. Hundreds of trees have been cut down in the garden area.

There is quite an uproar that on whose behest the illegal tree felling is going on unchecked.

According to the information received, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has been given the responsibility to carry out some development works including construction of a resort in Ambazari Garden. It is learned that arrangements are being made for weddings and other ceremonies to take place inside. However, while a resort is being constructed in one area, trees are being chopped across all areas.

It is said that permission has been sought from NMC for cutting 50 trees for this work, however, not 50 but 300 trees were cut. No one has any idea what was going inside the garden, as tress are being cut outside the garden as well. The Garden department NMC has no clue, as to what is going on.

JCB being used to uproot trees

Many trees adjacent to the dam have been uprooted and a picture has been created as the trees have been uprooted by strong winds and rains. However, there is clear evidence that it has been uprooted by the JCB and not by the storm.

Morning walkers livid

The garden has been closed since the lockdown last year. Morning walkers are allowed, but for the past few months, no one has been allowed inside the park. Therefore, anger is being expressed by the citizens who come for morning and evening walks.

‘Atleast consult people’

A resort is being built for celebration in the garden. Hundreds of trees being cut in the name of development, it is an attempt to make this garden, a desert, which is the glory of the city. Citizens were not consulted, something seems to be fishy and there is a hint of corruption.

- Dr Nana Pojge

Even though many lives have been lost due to lack of oxygen during corona pandemic, trees that provide free oxygen are being cut down ruthlessly. This illegal practice is rampant in Ambazari garden.

- Dr Abhay Sinha ()

The question is why Ambazari garden was closed when all the parks in the city were open for morning walkers. Hundreds of trees have been cut down in the outer area. What is going on inside is questionable.

- Dr Naresh Sathawane()

What is the reason for

digging in front of gate?

A trench has been dug near the gates of Ambazari garden. No one working here has an answer as to why this trench was dug. However, due to this drain, it is difficult to take vehicles to the parking lot and they have to be parked on the road.-

CA Chetan Malaviya ()

I have been visiting this park for the last 25 years but it has never happened. We the citizens have planted and kept hundreds of trees in the garden alive. Now these trees are being chopped. The garden is getting demolished.

- Baban Mohod

Numerous trees have been cut from the Ambedkar Hall near the university premises. About 500 trees, which we planted and some grew naturally have been uprooted illegally. This is disheartening.

- Pradeep Kolhe ()

What is NMC doing?

Hundreds of trees in Ambazari garden are being cut , the green cover of the city is being destroyed. It is the misfortune of the citizens of the city that the NMC has ignored this illegal tree felling.

- Devidas Dhanke ()